The official blog of center fielder Marlon Byrd

6/1 It happened, & you move on

I’m glad everyone has taken steps to make sure I’m OK and they’re not rushing to get me back on the field but making sure I heal correctly. That’s the main thing. I’ve seen Dr. Rosin here in Chicago. I’ve already had three, four appointments with him and I’m going to see him again today. I saw a facial guy, and in Boston, I saw neurologists, I saw radiologists, ophthalmologists. I had three facial doctors — they checked me, and then one guy went and got his boss and the other guy went and got his boss. I had the team doctors, Dr. Adams and Dr. Gryzlo, when I came back here look at it. It hit me in a sensitive spot. It hasn’t really been tough because I’ve had a great support system. I’ve had great doctors working with me and nobody has misstepped anything. I can’t be thankful enough for that. My support system with my family and friends and the fans writing in and wishing me well, I can’t thank them enough.

I have no clue when I’ll be back. All I know is I have to heal first, that’s first thing. Second, start baseball activity. Third, then I have to go on a rehab assignment and see how my body feels and see how I respond as far as seeing the ball. It could be a timely thing or it could be very quick.

I’ll be fine. Watching pitches and everything, I haven’t flinched. The ball’s been thrown at me. I’m one of those guys when something happens, you say, Oh well, it happened, and move on. Until you get that first ball actually thrown near you or at you, you’re not sure how your body or your mind is going to respond. Hopefully, I’ll be OK.

It’s nice to come out here — I can’t wait to come out here and see the fans and salute the bleacher bums.

I’m glad you’re not experiencing any psychological damage from the blow you took to the face the other day. Sometimes things hit a person in the head and it ends up leaving something in their brain. Not with you though, you don’t have anything left up there. Hold on there a second, Marlon. I don’t think that sounded right. I mean, you have brain tissue in there…you know, like gray matter…which I’m sure is doing just fine. Have you ever studied the brain? It’s amazing how the neurons work and the electrical firings. It really makes you wonder, Marlon, if Uncle Fester really could light up that bulb just by putting it in his mouth. Speaking of, I like to spell “gray” “grey” but it doesn’t seem to be as widely accepted as “gray”.

Marlon, how about this Campana kid? Have you ever seen a guy run like that? We have a former SEC Decathalon Champion on our church softball team…well actually my brother-in-law Andy put him on another team this year so as to spread the talent around but he was on our team last year and will be on our team heading into the tournament…and that guy can RUN and JUMP like I’ve never seen before. I wonder if he could outrun Tony Campana. We’ll have to have them race side by side.

Listen Marlon, when I was about 20 (I know, like a million years ago, right? NO! It was 12 years ago.) I was pitching against a summer team of Oregon college players. I had a catcher who had won the College World Series in his younger days named Will. Will knew baseball. He told me to throw the knucleball (I todl you I can throw a wicked knuck). I shook him off. Then he put down knuckleball again. I shook him off. Then he put down knuckleball a third time. This time I threw it. The guy was sitting on it and hit the ball back at my face. I had just enough time to get my throwing arm up. I thought I’d broked my forearm…maybe the ulna, maybe the radius Marlon. The point is, after that I used to flinch when I would pitch and I still can’t pitch to guys in softball. It’s too frightening. What I’m saying, Marlon, is basically this: don’t be a Keithman.

Well Marlon, my last post was again removed and is now “awaiting moderation”. I just don’t understand why I’m being censored. I’ve been as big a Cubs fan as there is though my interest has begun to wane lately on account of Jim Hendry destroying a solid team with horrible payroll moves. (Does it bug you that Carlos Silva and Milton Bradley are making more money than you right now…don’t worry, you make about 200 times what I do, Marlon…without doing the math).

Oh, Carlos Marmol? He’s fine. Everyone has a bad night sometimes. I remember a few nights ago when I woke up with restless legs. These things happen. He’s still quite possibly the most unhittable pitcher in the history of the game.

Marlon, I hope during your rehab you learn how to throw a tight cutter so you can join the rotation. We could use another arm. Somehow I don’t think Rodrigo Lopez is the answer…though the Astros certainly did the other day.

Good luck, Marlon! You are my boyfriend’s favorite player and while he is deployed in Afghanistan, he wakes up early in the mornings and stays late into the middle of the night just to catch Cubs games on the Internet. In fact, if you want to send him a birthday message, it’s July 18th! 🙂

I have no doubt that you will approach healing yourself with the same zeal and dedication we have come accustomed to expect from you. Good luck, man, and glad to see you in good spirits. And my name for you is Mr. Intangible. I looked it up; couldn’t really find anyone claiming that one. I say you run with it.

Much love Marlon. Take care of the old face. Lookin’ forward to your return. Keep working hard. We appreciate it. Hopefully we can turn things around. That last 9 game home stand was a heartbreaker. Would have loved to make a run in the division with that opportunity. Spread the knowledge to the young one’s. You play hard and I hope some of the other guys on the team can be inspired by you. We’ll see you soon. LET’S GO CUBBIES!!!

So thankful to hear that you’re doing well! We watch our beloved Cubbies from Colorado on WGN when you’re on….we bleed blue here in CO! You were lucky (I know that sounds funny) that it wasn’t worse, eh? Love your attitude and we pray for your complete recovery. Great example of being a great man! God bless you, bud!

I was SO happy o see you in the Cubs dugout during yesterday’s game… You look so good to me… I’ve missed ya bunches out on the field.. I only hope you continue to heal like you have. I only want you healed & healthy… But I still can’t wait for you to return to playing the game you love!!! Love ya bunches & be careful……. 🙂

Wishing you a speedy recovery!!! and hoping you don’t return before you are ready . Now a days I think people rush back before they should so I glad to hear you want to heal first. Hoping to see you in the outfield again soon.

Categories

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.